How To Test For Moisture In Concrete Walls

This particular moisture meter is ideal for checking the moisture content of walls because it has reading scales for both drywall and wood that allow for precise quantitative moisture measurements in these materials.

How to test for moisture in concrete walls.

Rh probes are embedded into the slab or inserted through small drilled holes. Reference scale moisture meters can provide a quick and reliable wet dry indication for concrete. Only tape the edges but make sure they are sealed really good to the concrete. The best way to test for slab moisture is with relative humidity testing astm f2170.

Three methods for testing concrete moisture levels. 9 and or plastic sheet tests astm d4263 test method for indicating moisture in concrete by the plastic sheet method. It is vitally important to test your concrete slab s moisture before installing flooring over it. A definitive test that measures the amount of moisture released from the concrete requires a calcium chloride kit or a relative humidity meter.

The plastic sheet method was developed by astm international and involves taping a plastic sheet to the surface of the concrete to create a vapor proof seal around the plastic. Tape a 12 inch by 12 inch piece of plastic wrap onto a part of the basement wall. Determinations need to be made using instruments fig. To test for moisture inside the walls start with manual tests and proceed to moisture meters.

Simply test a bit of concrete you know to be dry with the meter and make a note of the reading given. Consider using pinless moisture meters. Visual inspections are not adequate. Check for surface discoloration such as yellowing material.

In 2016 the society for protective coatings sspc expects to publish a new guidance document field methods for the determination of moisture in concrete and masonry walls and ceilings that will describe the types of instruments used for determining moisture content. The sheet is left in place for 72 hours then a dewpoint hygrometer is used to test the level of moisture that is in the air under the sheet. Check the plastic for the next several days noting when moisture. One way to check is to use a moisture meter that is optimized for building inspection work like the bd 2100.

This method indicates the moisture condition throughout the slab. Testing with either method will tell you how precisely how much moisture is present making it possible to choose a surface flooring that is appropriate. The easiest way to test for moisture in concrete is to duct tape a 2 foot square piece of plastic right to the concrete floor.